Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bead Giveaway


Well I thought I would at least tell you about my bead giveaway at a reasonable hour for the east coast. As I told you in the previous post, I am going to be selling my glass, enamel, and mixed metal beads and jewelry components at the Innovative Bead Expo. This event will occur the weekend of March 26th and 27th in Syracuse, N.Y. so if you are in the area please visit.

In order to be eligible to win the above assortment of beads, all you have to do is give me some advice in the comment section by answering this question.

When you go to a bead show, how do like to see
beads and other jewelry components displayed
that is user friendly to you the customer?

Any advice would be welcome, I have not done a lot of shows, and this is probably my biggest bead only show.

Your name goes in the hat for your comment. You can get another chance
to win if you blog about this giveaway, just let me know in the comment section.

Next Wednesday Feb. 16th I will randomly pick a winner, at 9am.

The computer was incredibly slow earlier, so I am still cropping photos of today's beads.
My east coast friends will probably, or should be in bed by the time I get the beads listed for today. My west coast friends will still be awake, I guess its good to mix it up once and a while.

Thanks for visiting.



33 comments:

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

I was so excited to see Innovative Beads but then I read Syracuse :-( I always go to the Fishkill, NY one. Anyway I have to say that I hate when glass bead artists lay all their beads in a bowl or a tin on the table. One of my favorite artists does this and it is a bi*&h to shop with a child in tow at their booth. I can't see over the shoulders of other shoppers and to get to anything I have to shove and my child gets trampled (her favorite word this week). If there is a way to spread things out or even have them vertically displayed that is always better. Some shoppers are brutal so it is nice to be able to see things from afar if you are a little timid, like I am.
I hope I win these beads. They are beautiful and I would give them a great home ;-) Thanks, Shannon

Unknown said...

Hi Anne -
When I'm shopping for beads like yours, I want to be able to touch and sort through bunches to find the ones I want. Smaller sets that aren't as expensive that are wired together are better for me than larger sets that are higher $--gives me the options to buy more than one if I want. Plus, I'm a big color girl...bunches by color, even if they're different shapes or sizes, are more fun to search through.
Hope that helps at least a little!
Jen

Regina said...

I like them sorted by type, and I do not like them in a bowl or batch, where I have to sort through and maybe find some damaged or nicked beads in the lot. I like them in trays that have little squares separators for individually or paired bead sets. I feel they are valuable and should be treated as such. For the same reason, I do not like a bunch of beads packed together in one ziploc bag, after my purchase, like them separated as possible, specially the delicate ones. Hope this helps. Love your beads, love to win your beads. Best wishes for a good show.

Round Rabbit said...

Oh, I am totally going to go to this show and meet you in person finally! I'm in Syracuse often so it will be easy as pie (as long as there isn't a massive show storm...)

I like to see beads organized by shape. All the same shapes together and then separated by colors. But really, I would dive into a bathtub of beads and gladly swim around in them to find ones that I like. I'm easy like that... :)

Shirley said...

You know, your butterflies and swallows are so pretty and delicate, I think it would be great to see them strung on fishing line, and hanging from a bare branch tree form. Also, maybe string a couple of pendants on simple cord or a silk scarf. I do love being able to sort thru the trays, and I also tend to look by color. I would be thrilled to win some of your beauties!
Please let us know how the show turns out.

moonlitfantaseas said...

I like them to be sorted by size, shape and sets, the special more expensive art beads seperated so the are kind of show cased so you can see their individual beauty....
good luck on your show!

Judy said...

Good luck with your show!
I like to touch so the beads needs to be accessible and sorted by color is very helpful. A higher table so you can spend longer looking and not break your back.

FairlyGirly said...

The most important to me is to be able to touch and really look at the beads. Sets wired together, laid on table, prevents getting damaged in baskets.

Good luck with the shop, I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks for the chance to win your beads.

Lorelei Eurto said...

I think it's cool to have a nice simple display, and it's nice to see finished pieces of jewelry that use the components.
YAY for Innovattive Bead Expo!!

Niky Sayers said...

I love the idea of having them hanging so you can see from a distance and compltly understand the problems of shopping with a small child!
I like to see beads grouped in colors and to be able to see them, get to them and buy them quickly if there are alot of people around. I'm not a fan of bowls as I dont like to have to hunt, and am more like to spend more if they are displayed nicely!

Niky Sayers said...

Just bloged about your giveawya so hopefully sending more advice your way!
Niky x

Courtney Breul said...

I got my hopes up when I read Syracuse - but I won't be up there until the end of April....

I like to be able to touch the beads. As I tend to be a color person, I love it when they are grouped in color groups. The greatest thing is a friendly face behind the booth/table. That makes all the difference in the world. Good Luck with your show.

somethingunique said...

i live in Canada & have never been to a bead show, it would b a dream come true for me to someday b able to go to one i have one bead shop in my town in a 400 mile radious:( and when i do shop for beads i like them sorted by color & style of beads & b creative think outside the box for your display & most important always greet everyone thats even passing by your table a smile & frienldy greeting r the most important :}u should always bring a helper so when u get busy other customer r not ignored & i would love to win the wonderful beads i'll post about the giveaway on my blog (somethingunique)i'm sorry i am having a hard time figuring out how to post a link

lunedreams said...

I do like to see things grouped by color, with the prices clearly marked of course (it's hard to do surreptitious reconnaissance when you have to ask how much something is!). One thing I have found myself wishing for is smaller quantities. Sometimes I see something I would like to use in a piece, but a whole strand is too much (both quantity and price, I could never use all of them), esp. larger beads. If I could buy them singly, or in a half strand, I would probably buy them. I wish more sellers would sell single items or smaller quantities.

Noemi said...

When I shop for beads I don't like having to buy too many of the same ones. I prefer to buy more of different shapes and colours, as I don't like to do repeated designs.
As on the display, it is nice when you have strands at eye level, and I do hate, hate, hate, hate, when they are in a mixed bowl. It just takes forever to find few of the same beads.
I find it helpful when they are sorted by size and shapes.
Best of luck in the show.

Mellisa said...

I agree with most of the others that a bowl or tin to dig through isn't ideal unless everything in that dish is the same style, just different colors...I love when beads are on a rod display and other pieces have their own little spaces. I actually prefer colors mixed together rather than separated, I just think it's a bit more interesting.
Good luck at the show!

Loris Glassworks said...

Hi Anne,
Thanks for asking; I tend to spend a lot more time and money at booths that are 'comfortable' for viewing the beads. I like a higher table so I don't have to bend over to see the selection. I will dig through a big bowl of beads if the price is right, but I'd rather not. I really like a sectioned tray that displays beads by size, shape and color. Also, I do enjoy seeing a few examples of how the beads could be used in jewelry designs. One pet peeve is the check-out area; I hate having to reach over other shoppers to hand over cash/card and finish the transaction with the seller. Makes me feel like my purchase was insignificant and the seller has already moved on. I know you have a limited amount of space, but a small area at the end of the table for checkout is always a plus for me. Good Luck at the show, your beads are lovely.

I will post on my Blog:
www.lorisglassworks.blogspot.com

TesoriTrovati said...

For beads and components I like to see them displayed in groupings. Heather Powers and Jennifer Heynen did nice things with white bowls with things grouped in like styles or colors. I like the idea of digging for treasure. Lisa Peters puts all hers on trays. Sometimes that gets overwhelming, but each tray is more different than the last. Good luck!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

Part of the problem is how much space do you have, and how many wares are you bringing? With unlimited space/bucks you could make your booth look like Tiffany's! The more you bring the fewer your options, and at least some things may have to be displayed in bins or bowls. One display trick that I thought looked nice was a "Bead Bouquet". Beads were mounted on stiff wire stems, in a way that they could be easily removed, and grouped in bud vases. This adds flair and height to your display, as well as maximizing space.

angelself said...

I love to shop by color. For beads that are all the same, I think its fine to put them in a bowl. However, when beads are of different size, shape and esp design...I think its best to spread them on a tray. Highlight rarer and more expensive beads in small boxes or trays with separators...or on pretty vintage plates, for that extra special touch. Hope this helps =) Kathryn ps- I've clicked to follow you. Your work is gorgeous!

Joe Madl said...

your beads are fabulous! having done a number of shows myself (though only attending bead shows), i find i enjoy being able to touch the beads but still be able to see them alone, as well as grouped with other beads that coordinate. height is definitely important. not only does it maximize your display space, but also allows layers of customers to shop at once! stringing them on fishing line or thin wire and hanging them from tree branches, or across vertical dowels mounted in a solid (and heavy, for stability) base, would give you this height. also being a lover of chairs (i know...odd...but, hey, it's what i enjoy), i always thought a display of creative soft chairs would be fun to pin stings of beads to...or tiny little chairs to set a precious bead on to highlight it's beauty! maybe a special display front and center of a fun doll (cloth, porcelain...medium of your choice) holding a pillow or other display forum out for all to see might be fun and be something that would attract attention! hope you have a great show!!

namaste'
joe
http://manhandledthreads.blogspot.com

Susan Marling said...

The show sounds wonderful-I know you must be excited. I think overall you want a booth/table to look inviting and colorful but not cluttered.I agree with someone's comment on a higher table so you're not bending over.I liked Heather Power's white square bowls-simple and they didn't take away from the beads.If you have jewelry samples using your beads -that's great. I also like beads wrapped separately. I am sure with your eye, it will be very nice. Good luck.

Lois Moon said...

As many other beaders said, I like to be able to touch the beads. This is why I go the a show. I am more likely to purchase when small numbers of beads are grouped together rather than large quantities (my favorite lampworker strings 3 moderately priced beads together.). I have seen some nice looking displays put together with copper tubing and elbow brackets so that some beads can be hung and others can be displayed on trays. I also do not like sorting through bowls. My favorite displays have small compartments - sort of like print drawers - that allow me to quickly scan colors and shapes. I've seen focal beads displayed vertically on cards.

Diana S said...

I like to see beads sorted by shape and size. When I find a shape I like, it's fun to look at all the colors available.

Unknown said...

What beautiful beads you have wow! This is a wonderful Giveaway! I think an array of different things to make the customers eye go from here to there is great. Using intresting things like some jewellery draped on driftwood, some in a special dish, and some hanging. Useing pcs like your display looks like out of a magazine! Lovely and drawing the eye in and to here and there!

Do Be Do Bead Do said...

What a generous giveaway. Truth be told, I like to see beads in printers trays or bowls so I can handle them before I buy. I'm sure any way that you display your lovely work will be awesome and you will have a very successful show.

Cheryl K Roe said...

I enjoy seeing the beads grouped by color families. I also do not like to bend over to far to see the displays. I think if is helpful also to have a few finished items showcasing the possibilities of how they can be used. Great group of beads that you are giving away.

Unknown said...

I totally agree with beadroe. I like them grouped by color with finished jewelry that gives ideas of what to do with new materials.

Quiltmoose - Dagmar said...

I'd like to have the beads displayed on rods, sorted by color. I also would like to see examples of finished jewelry.
Greetings from Germany,
Dagmar

Unknown said...

As others have said, laid out sorted by colour and not in a bowl! Having finished jewelry can really help to spark some ideas as to how they can be used.

good luck!

abrydges8(at)gmail(dot)com

Michelle Mach said...

I love beads sorted by color, although I admit that I'll buy more if the colors are mixed because I'm not just reaching for my old favorites, but considering new color combinations. I definitely like to be able to touch the beads. It's nice to have some vertical displays, especially if your booth is crowded, so I can see from across the room whether I should elbow my way in or not. :)

Unknown said...

Definately add height to your table, if possible. I like to shop by color and shape, however, I think its great when a vendor is flexible and will let you create your own set...a mix of colors. But, if I'm pushed for time I like to grab a set that already been wired together and go. Good Luck with the show! I'm sure you'll do great!

CraftyHope said...

First, I like to be able to touch the beads and see them up close as opposed to through a glass display.

Second, I like them sorted by type and color. All the lampwork beads in one area, metal beads in another, etc. That way, it's easier to see the shades of the colors better.

Of course, it's always nice when beads are sold in pre-matching sets as well.

I hope this helps. Best of luck at the show.